Vice President of Human Resources

Job Title: Vice President of Human Resources

Reports To: President

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

Terch & Associates, on behalf of Upper Lakes Foods, is seeking a qualified Human Resources Professional to serve as the next Vice President of Human Resources.

At Upper Lakes Foods, our mission is to deliver exceptional service and value to our customers while fostering a positive and collaborative workplace. As our VP of HR, you will play a critical role in shaping our company’s success by leading all aspects of HR and payroll operations. You will work closely with our leadership team to align HR strategies with our business goals and drive initiatives that support employee satisfaction, compliance, and a thriving workplace culture.

This position is perfect for a strategic thinker who thrives in a dynamic environment and values collaboration, integrity, and service excellence. If you’re passionate about building strong teams and fostering growth, we’d love to hear from you!

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with the ability to manage complex employee relations issues, communicate effectively across all levels of the company, and exemplify Upper Lakes Foods’ core values of integrity, teamwork, and service excellence.

About Upper Lakes Foods

Upper Lakes Foods, Inc. is the largest independent, wholesale food distributor in Minnesota. The company has three facilities located in Cloquet, MN, Northfield, MN and Janesville, WI. We distribute food throughout the Upper Midwest. Upper Lakes Foods specializes in serving foodservice operators such as independent restaurants, assisted living facilities, schools, and national and regional foodservice chain accounts with a strong focus on customer service. Simply put, the mission is to build value for each customer, employee, supplier and community we serve by bringing the best: the best products, best people, and best ideas.

Key Responsibilities

Lead with Purpose

• Provide executive-level leadership and guidance to ensure HR operations align with Upper Lakes Foods’ goals and values.

• Collaborate with our executive team to develop long-term strategies that support our mission and drive business success.

• Create HR initiatives that enhance employee satisfaction, strengthen workplace culture, and support a productive, compliant environment.

Manage HR and Payroll Operations

• Direct and oversee the implementation of HR and payroll policies and procedures to meet the needs of our employees and organization.

• Evaluate and streamline processes to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and compliance across all functions.

• Maintain a deep understanding of employment laws to ensure our operations comply with local, state, and federal regulations.

Strategic Planning and Innovation

• Partner with leadership to design and execute strategies for talent acquisition, employee engagement, and retention.

• Develop policies and programs that support career growth, continuous learning, and leadership development within our teams.

• Drive innovation in HR practices to keep Upper Lakes Foods at the forefront of industry best practices.

Compliance and Best Practices

• Stay ahead of legislative changes, particularly in Minnesota and at the federal level, and ensure our policies remain compliant.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for audits and legal inquiries related to HR and payroll.

Foster Employee Growth

• Implement strategies to attract, develop, and retain top talent that shares our values and vision.

• Oversee performance management systems and provide resources for employee training and development.

• Create a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth to support our employees’ success.

What We Value in this Role

• Strategic Thinking: The ability to align HR initiatives with our business objectives and long-term goals.

• Calm and Professional Presence: Managing complex employee relations with confidence and poise.

• Outgoing and Engaging Communication: Building strong relationships across all levels of the organization.

• Respect and Integrity: We believe in creating a workplace where employees are treated fairly in a safe and positive environment as exemplified with honesty, truthfulness and consistency of our actions. For this role, it is critical to build a relationship of trust with our President.

• Flexibility and Commitment: Willingness to travel to our distribution centers and work outside normal business hours when needed, such as during new benefit rollouts. We believe in the value of hard work, perseverance and consistency of character.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.

• 7-10 years of HR experience in leadership roles, including payroll administration.

• Professional certifications such as SPHR, SHRM-SCP, or equivalent preferred.

Skills and Expertise

• Proven leadership and strategic planning skills to support organizational growth.

• Expertise in employment law compliance, particularly in Minnesota and federal regulations.

• Experience in talent acquisition, performance management, and employee engagement strategies.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and inspire teams.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $100,000 - $150,000